The Social Welfare Department today announced the extension of the “District Services & Community Care Teams - Scheme on Supporting Elderly & Carers” to all 18 districts for a period of 12 months starting tomorrow, with a view to providing support and care to elderly people and carers in need.

Addressing the launch ceremony, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing said that all 452 Community Care Teams across the city will help identify elderly people and carers in need through visits and contacts in the coming 12 months. Apart from sending care and providing assistance, the care teams will also refer those in need to social welfare service units for suitable support.

Piloted in Tsuen Wan District and Southern District in the first quarter of 2024, the Scheme on Supporting Elderly & Carers has made great achievements. By the end of February this year, 36 care teams in the two districts had visited or contacted over 7,200 singleton/doubleton elderly, carers of elderly, or carers of people with disabilities, making over 1,200 referrals for welfare services. Moreover, over 300 senior citizens and people with disabilities received subsidies for the installation of emergency alarm systems through referrals made by the care teams.

Mr Cheuk said that with the extension of the scheme to 18 districts, care teams are expected to reach over 60,000 households in need. He also expressed hope that members of the care teams would go beyond serving as care ambassadors in the community by strengthening collaboration with other stakeholders.

In addition to encouraging carers to use the Designated Hotline for Carer Support (182 183) and the Information Gateway for Carers, care teams will enhance communication with the hotline to arrange visits or contacts for the carers in need, he added.

At the ceremony today, the Deputy Chief Secretary presented certificates of appointment to the care teams of 18 districts, and presided at a pledging ceremony to start the extension of the scheme. The care teams of Yau Tsim Mong and Sham Shui Po Districts then conducted home visits to households.

The Social Welfare Department will arrange training for the care teams, covering communication skills, information on local social welfare services and referral procedures. It will also maintain close communication with the care teams and provide assistance to ensure a smooth implementation of the scheme.